Electromagnetic relay

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic relay comprising an electromagnetic device which is preassembled as a separate subassembly and is mounted in an insulating receptacle. The inner contour of the insulating receptacle generally complements the shape of the electromagnetic device such that when the device is slidably inserted into the receptacle, its freedom of movement is limited. A contact assembly is secured to the receptacle so as to trap the electromagnetic device between the receptacle and the contact assembly.

United States Patent Albert D. Lisnay Trenton, NJ.

Apr. 20, 1970 Dec. 7,197l l'leinemnnn Electric Company Trenton, NJ.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY 31 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 335/202 Int. Cl H0lh 9/02 Field otSearch 335/132,

202,197, 278; 200/168 A, 168 B, 168 C [56] Relmnees Clted UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,760,026 8/1956 Horlacher 335/197 FOREIGN PATENTS 196,486 8/ l 957 Austria 335/132 Primary Examiner- Harold Broome Attorney-Denny & Denny ABSTRACT: An elcctromagnetic'relay comprising an electromagnetic device which is preassembled as a separate subassembly and is mounted in an insulating receptacle. The inner contour of the insulating receptacle generally complements the shape of the electromagnetic device such that when the device is slidably inserted into the receptacle. its freedom of movement is limited. A contact assembly is secured to the receptacle so as to trap the electromagnetic device between the receptacle and the contact assembly.

ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to relays and more particularly to relays of the electromagnetic type. Prior art electromagnetic relays have generally been constructed using a complex assembly procedure which requires the use of a substantial number of fastening devices at several stages during the assembly. The fastening devices are commonly used to connect the-several operating sections of the relay to each other and to a housing or receptacle in order to form a unitary whole. This procedure increases the cost of the relay and the time required to complete its assembly.

An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a housing or receptacle into which the operating parts of a relay are inserted and limited in movement in a plurality of directions by virtue of the contour of the receptacle which complements the contour of the operating parts of the relay.

A further object of the invention is to substantially limit the movement of the operating parts of a relay within a receptacle by abutment between the walls of the receptacle and the operating parts of the relay and be keying arrangement, rather than by the use of fasteners.

A further object is to provide a relay composed of an electromagnetic device which is preassembled into a unitary subassembly and slidably inserted into an insulating receptacle which has walls and slots which complement the contour of the electromagnetic device to limit its movement in a plurality of directions.

A further object is to provide, in a relay of the above-noted type, a contact assembly which is secured to the receptacle and partially overlies and abuts the electromagnetic device to complete its captivation within the insulating receptacle.

A further object is to provide a contact assembly which is readily accessible and can be conveniently inspected without disassembling the relay.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a relay which comprises an electromagnetic device which is preassembled as a unitary subassembly. The preassembled electromagnetic device is slidably inserted into an insulating receptacle, the interior contour of the receptacle being shaped to receive and restrain movement of the electromagnetic device. A contact assembly composed of stacked elements is secured to the receptacle and, in one embodiment, extends in the direction of and abuts the electromagnetic device to prevent movement thereof. A cover may be secured to the receptacle to complete the enclosure of the electromagnetic device and the contact assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled relay according to the invention, but with the cover removed;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the relay shown in FIG. 1, but with the insulating receptacle, electromagnetic device, contact assembly and cover displaced vertically from each other to illustrate generally the sequence of assembly of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the contact assembly of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side, elevation view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1, but with the cover in place, the view being mostly in section;

' FIG. 5 is a plan view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 4, partly in section and with the lower tab of the contact assembly partially cut away to better expose the boss on the frame of the electromagnetic device;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 4, showing the relay partially in section; and

F IG. 7 is an elevation view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 4, showing the relay partly in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a relay 5, constructed in accordance with this invention, comprises an electromagnetic device or solenoid 10 mounted in an insulating receptacle 11, the electromagnetic device 10 being operative to open and close the contacts 7 and 8.

The electromagnetic device 10 comprises an inverted, generally L-shaped frame 15, a solenoid coil 17 wrapped about an insulating bobbin [8, and a nonmagnetic tube 19 having a magnetizable pole piece 23, the tube 19 being secured to the frame 15 and extending through and beyond the coil 17 and bobbin 18.

As is well known in the art, the tube 19 is filled with a silicone liquid (not shown) and contains a magnetic core (not shown) which is movable axially through the liquid, but which is biased by a spring (not shown) toward the end of the tube farthest from the pole piece 23. The magnetic field generated by a current through the coil 17 operates to move the core against the retarding action of the silicon liquid toward the pole piece 23, the retarding action of the silicone liquid resulting in a time delay between the activation of the electromagnetic device 10 and the opening of the contacts 7 and 8. At higher currents, the contacts 7 and 8 open without an intentional time delay.

As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, the electromagnetic device 10 is supported in a generally horizontal position in the receptacle 11, but no limitation to such position is intended, the terms horizontal and "vertical" being used herein merely for convenience. A pair of coil terminals 33 and 34 are secured to the receptacle 1] by suitable fasteners, one terminal being located adjacent each end of the electromagnetic device 10. The ends of the coil 17 are joined to the terminals 33 and 34 in a suitable manner, such as by welding.

The frame 15 includes a vertical leg 37 containing a circular hole through which the tube 19 extends, the tube being rigidly connected to the leg 37 and within said hole by means of a solder connection 36, FIG. 4, or the like. The leg 37 also has a lower foot 38, FIGS. 2 and 4, which mates into a rectangular slot 39 in the bottom wall 91 of the receptacle 1 to provide one of the supports for the electromagnetic device 10.

The frame 15 further includes a horizontal leg 42 which has an integral rectangular boss 58, FIG. 5, which abuts the rear wall 101 and thus limits the rearward movement of the leg 42.

A pair of upstanding cars 46, FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, having openings therein are formed integral with the leg 42 and provide support for an armature 50 and an actuator 60, as ex.- plained hereinafter.

The armature 50 has a generally horizontal leg 56 which carries a wedge-shaped actuator 60, the actuator 60 being made of a suitable insulating material. The actuator 60- may be secured to the leg 56 by means of a projection 54, FIG. 4, on the underside of the actuator 60 which interfits with a hole in the leg 56, the projection being peened over to complete the attachment. Other suitable means for attachment may be employed, of course.

The actuator 60 extends generally horizontally towards the contacts 7 and 8, FIGS. 1 and 4, and has a tongue potion 61' which is operative to open and close the contacts 7 and 8 as the armature 50 pivots. The actuator 60 has a channellike recess 62, FIGS. 1 and 4, extending across its full width to receive a pin 63.

The armature 50 includes a generally vertically disposed leg 51 extending at approximately a right angle with the actuator 60 and the leg 56. The leg 51 operates as the attractable part of the armature 50 and is pivotally supported adjacent and biased in the direction away from the pole piece 23 of the electromagnetic device 10.

A pair of ears 55 project upwardly from the horizontal leg 56 of the armature 50 and such ears 55 have openings formed therein to carry the pin'53 on which the armature 50 and the actuator 60 are pivoted. The pin 63 passes within the channellike recess 62 in the actuator 60 and also extends through the ears 46 in the leg 42 of the frame 15. Axial movement of the pin 63 is restrained by means of the enlarged head 64 and a friction spring 65 which is tightly wrapped about one end of the pin 63 between the head 64 and the ear 46 of the frame 15. The ends of the spring 65 are crossed over each other and bear against opposite sides of the boss 58, the end of the spring 65 bearing against the top of the boss being trapped in a V- shaped groove 59, FIG. 5.

The center portion of the pin 63 carries a torsion spring 67, the spring 67 being located within the recess 62 of the actuator 60. As shown in FIG. 5, one end 66 of the torsion spring 67 bears against an inside surface of the recess 62 of the actuator 60 while the other end is caught in a slot 68 at the opposite end of the pin 63. The torsion spring 67 biases the attractable arm 51 of the armature 50in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, away from THE pole piece 23 and biases the tongue 61 of the actuator 60 away from the movable contact 7. The clockwise rotation of the actuator 60 and of the armature 50 is limited by abutment of the attractable leg 51 of the armature 50 with the end wall 105 of the receptacle 11.

The tension of the spring 67 may be adjusted as desired by inserting a suitable tool in the slot 68 and rotating the pin 63.

Friction spring 65 prevents the pin 63 from rotating freely after adjustment of the torsion spring 67 to the desired ten- $1011.

The receptacle 11, FIG. 2, is preferably made of a phenolic compound and has its major dimension extending horizontally in order to accommodate the horizontal orientation of the electromagnetic device 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the receptacle 11 has formed therein a main cavity 100 which is defined by a rear wall 101 opposite end walls 104 and 105 and a bottom wall 91. The top and front of the cavity 100 are generally open, as shown, in FIG. 2. The interior contour of the main cavity 100 functions to limit the freedom of movement of the electromagnetic device in all but the vertical direction by means of suitably shaped channels, walls, shoulders and columns which complement the peripheral contour of the electromagnetic device 10, as will be explained hereinafter in detail. Considered in another manner, the receptacle 11 may be viewed as having an L-shaped cross section formed by the rearwall 101 and bottom wall 91, FIG. 6. The receptacle 11 may likewise be viewed as providing an L-shaped cavity 100 closed at opposite ends by the end walls 104 and 105, the cavity 100 being in turn then closed at its top and front by an inverted L-shaped cover 145.

The exterior lower surface of the bottom wall 91 of the receptacle 11 is generally flat to provide a suitable support for the relay 5. Two holes 92 in the front half of the bottom wall 91 adjacent the opposite ends of the receptacle 11 serve to anchor the terminals 33 and 34 in place by means of screws, or the like extending therethrough. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the rear portion of the bottom wall 91 has suitable V-shaped recesses 95 and 96 at opposite ends of the receptacle 11, the recesses 95 and 96 being partially defined by inwardly extending flanges 97 and 98 for securing the receptacle 11 to the appropriate utilization equipment (not shown) by the use of suitable fasteners (not shown).

The end wall 104 forms a first open ended channel 108 located intermediate a front wall section 103 and a rear wall section 109. The channel 108 has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 9, but smaller than the width of the leg 37 of the frame 15 and has a base surface 111 which is elevated a small distance above the slot 39. In the assembled relay, the tube 19 is slidably received between the inner surfaces of the wall sections 103 and 109 to aid in limiting movement of the electromagnetic device 10 in the forward and rearward directions, the tube 19 being spaced from the base surface 111, as shown in FIG. 4.

- The front wall section 103 has a substantially flat, vertical surface 119 facing generally in the direction of the electromagnetic device 10. The rear wall section 109 has a similar flat vertical surface 120, coplanar with the surface 119 and likewise facing in the direction of the electromagnetic device 10.

The front wall section 103 includes the top surfaces 117 which are generally flat and horizontal and an integral upstanding column 114. Similarly, the rear wall section 109 includes a flat and horizontal top surface 118, coplanar with the top surfaces 117, and another integral upstanding column 115. The columns 114 and 115 interfit into openings in the component parts of the contact assembly 6 to locate it in place on the receptacle, as explained in detail hereinafter. Each of the columns 114 and 115 has formed therein holes 116 in which the screws 35, FIG. 5, are mounted to secure the contact assembly 6 to the receptacle 11, as explained in detail hereinafter.

The end wall 105 includes a front wall section 102 and a rear wall section 106 defining an open ended, second channel 110. The channel has a width sufficiently larger than the widest portion of the leg 51 to permit the armature to pivot freely. The channel 110 has a depth so that the counterclockwise movement of the armature is limited by abutment of the leg 51 with the inner surface 74 of the channel 110.

Both of the channels 108 nd 110 are in communication with the open top of the receptacle 1], as shown in FIG. 2, the space between the end walls 104 and 105 forming in effect, another open ended channel, together with the rear wall 101, which is also in communication with the open top of the receptacle 11.

The front wall section 102 forms a comer 139, FIG. 2, at the intersection of the shoulder 112 and the vertical wall 113. The rear wall section forms a similar comer 140 at the intersection of the shoulder 132 and the vertical wall 133. The corners of the frame 15 formed at the junction of the ears 46 and leg 42 ride in the comers 139 and 140 to support the electromagnetic device 10 vertically and to prevent its movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the tube 19.

The front wall section 102 and rear wall section 106 also form shoulders 136 and 137, FIGS. 2 and 5, respectively, for supporting the transparent cover 145, as explained in greater detail hereinafter. f

The contact assembly 6, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, is located directly above the channel 108 and is secured to the receptacle 11 by means of the spaced columns 114 and 115 which interfit into mating, spaced openings formed in the component parts of the contact assembly, as hereinafter described in further detail.

The contact assembly 6 comprises an insulating lower tab 121, FIG. 3, which is generally rectangular in shape and has two open-ended U-shaped openings 131 on opposite sides thereof. The dimensions of the openings 131 are slightly larger than the corresponding dimensions of the columns 114 an 115 in order that the columns may slidably interflt into the openings 131. The lower tab extends generally from the end wall 104 to a position overlying the horizontal leg 42 and in the transverse direction extends from the rear wall 101 to the front face of the front wall section 103. Thus, when the lower tab 121 is placed over the columns 114 and 115, the columns 114 and 115 slidably enter the openings 131 and the tab 121 is slidably received in the space generally bounded by the rear wall 101, the erid wall 104, and the front face of the front wall section 103.

Further, the end portion 127 of the lower tab 121 extends horizontally in the direction of the electromagnetic device 10 so as to overlie and abut the top surface of the horizontal leg 42 of the frame 15, the tip of the end portion 127 being trapped between the tongue 61 of the actuator 60 and the top surface of the leg 42. The underside of the end portion 127 overlying the boss 58 is formed with a clearance recess 147, FIGS. 2 and 3, to accommodate the end of the spring 65 which rests upon the 58, FIG. 5.

The remainder of the contact assembly 6 is tacked onto the lower insulating tab 121 in vertical sequence, and comprises a lower terminal 122, a middle insulating tab 123, a movable contact blade 124, an upper terminal 126, and an upper insulating tab 128, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

The lower contact terminal 122 is a metallic conductor one end of which carries the stationary contact 8, the other end of which extends beyond the end wall 104 for connection to a utilization circuit (not shown). The end of the terminal 122 which carries the stationary contact 8 extends generally toward but does not overlie the actuator 60, but does overlie the part of the lower tab 121 which overlies the leg 42. The end of the terminal 122 farthest from the contact 8 has an L- shaped cross section when viewed as in FIG. 4 and a hole 149 to facilitate connection to the utilization circuits (not shown). The thickness of the lower terminal 122 is slightly greater than that of a complementary depression 148 in the lower tab 121, the depression 148 being shaped to prevent translational movement of the terminal 122 in the horizontal plane by abutment of peripheral surfaces of the terminal 122 and the walls defining the depression 148. With the lower terminal 122 resting in the depression 148, the top flat surface of the terminal 122 and the uppermost surface of the lower tab 121 combine to form an approximately flat base upon which the middle tab 123 rests. The lower terminal 122 has formed thereon a U- shaped opening 146, having dimensions approximately equal to those of the opening 131 in the lower tab 121 and overlying the opening 131.

The middle insulating tab 123 functions to space and electrically insulate the lower contact terminal 122 from the movable blade 124 and the upper terminal 126 and has a flat undersurface which maintains the lower terminal 122 within the depression 148. The middle tab 123 has two openings 151 which have similar dimensions as the openings 131 in the lower tab 121 and which directly are aligned with the openings 131. One end of the middle tab 123 extends past the end wall 104 approximately the same distance as the terminals 122 and 126 and lies intermediate the terminals to act as an insulating barrier therebetween. The top surface of the middle tab has formed thereon a depression 153, the depth of the depression 153 being approximately equal to the combined thickness of the contact blade 124 and-the upper terminal 126.

The contact blade 124 is made of a resilient, highly conductive metal having an end portion 154 which extends toward the actuator 60 and which carries the movable contact 7. The tip 155 of the end portion 154 is tapered and partially overlies the tongue 61 of the actuator 60. The thickness of the blade 124 is small relative to the thickness of the terminals 122 and 126. A U-shaped opening 156 is formed on the blade 124 similar in shape and aligned with the opening 151 in the middle tab 123. The overall shape of the blade 124 is selected to fit into the depression 153 in the middle tab 123. The end portion 154 is bent at a slight angle below the horizontal to bias the movable contact 7 into abutment with the stationary contact 8.

The upper terminal 126 is a metallic conductor similar to the lower terminal 122 and likewise has a hole 158 formed therein and extends beyond the end wall 104 to facilitate its connection to utilization circuits (not shown). The terminal 126 also has a U-shaped opening 152 which is similarly shaped and positioned as the opening 146 in the terminal 122 and an L-shaped cross section when viewed as in FIG. 4, similar but inverted with respect to the L-shaped cross section of the lower terminal 122. The L-shaped cross sections of the terminals 122 and 126 provide spaces between the middle tab 123 and the terminals 122 and 126 to facilitate the connection of the terminals to utilization circuits (not show).

"The upper insulating tab 128 is generally rectangular in shape with U-shaped openings 159 which overlie the openings 151 and 131 in the middle and lower tabs, respectively. The openings 159 (in the tab 128) are partially defined by inwardly extending flanges 160 formed integral with and located midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the tab 128. The width of the flanges 160 are selected such that their undersurfaces rest on the top of the columns 114 and 115, the upper surfaces of the flanges act to limit the travel of the heads of the screws 35, whereby the flanges 160 are trapped between the columns 114 and 115 and the heads of the screws The upper tab 128 has formed thereon two integral upstanding bosses 161, the diameter of the bosses 161 being selected to slidably interfit into two openings 166, FIG. 4, in the cover 145, the undersurface of the upper tab 128 being generally flat in order to hold the contact blade 124 and upper tenninal 126 positioned within the depression 153 in the middle tab 123.

With the contact assembly in place, FIGS. 1 and 4, the columns 114 and 115 extend through the aligned U-shaped openings 131 and 151 in the tabs 121 and 123, and also through the aligned U-shaped openings 146, 152, and 156 in each of the terminals 122 and 126 and the blade 124, respectively. The screws 35 extend through the openings 159 in the upper tab 128 and into the holes 116 in the columns 114 and 115, the heads of the screws bearing against the top surfaces of the flanges 160 on the upper tab 128 to fixedly mount the contact assembly 6 to the receptacle 11.

An L-shaped cover 145 of electrical insulating material is secured to the receptacle 11 by means of the pair of upstanding bosses 161 located on the upper tab 128. The bosses 161 extend through aligned holes in the top of the cover 145 and are peened over by the application of heat, to hold the cover 145 in place. The cover 145 is preferably of transparent plastic material and the portion of the cover 145 which overlies the armature 50 preferably contains a small hole 163 directly above the attractable arm 51 of the annature 50. This pennits visual inspection of the movement of the actuator 60 and contacts 7 and 8 and by inserting a tool through the hole 163 the actuator 60 may be pivoted into engagement with movable blade 124 to separate the contacts.

The end portion of the cover 145 which overlies the armature 50 is thickened in order to rest on the shoulders 136 and 137 which are depressed relative to the upper portion of the end wall 105. The upper front half of the cover 145 is thickened at opposite ends and abuts the end walls 104 and 105, while the lower half of the front cover is thin to form passages with the front wall sections 102 and 103 through which the ends of the coilv 17 pass for connection to the ter' minals 33 and 34. The bottom periphery of the cover has a lip 162 which interfits with a groove 164 in the front of the receptacle 11 to hold the cover close to the front wall of the receptacle 11. g

The assembly of the relay is accomplished by initially preassembling the electromagnetic device 10 by first assembling the bobbin 18, coil 17, tube 19, and frame 15 to each other as is well known in the art, the tube 19 being soldered to the leg 37 of the frame 15.

The subunit formed by the preconnected armature 50 and actuator 60 is then pivotally mounted to the frame 15 by passing the pin 63 through the friction spring 65, the pairs of ears 46 and 55 and the torsion spring 67, with one end of the spring 67 being trapped in the slot 68 of the pin 63 and the other end bearing against the interior wall of the channel 62. The ends of the friction spring 65 are then crossed over each other to bear against opposite sides of the boss 58. The ends of the coil 17 are then welded to the terminals 33 and 34, as shown in FIG. 2.

The preassembled electromagnetic device 10, HO. 2, is then lowered into the receptacle 11, the tube 19 being lowered into the channel 108 and the leg 51 of the armature 50 being inserted into the channel 110 until the leftmost por tion of the horizontal frame leg 42 rests on the shoulders 112 and 132. Concurrently, the foot 38 of the vertical leg 37 is keyed into the slot 39 and bottoms on the floor of the receptacle 11.

At this point in the assembly, the electromagnetic device 10 is free to move in only the vertical direction. The movement of the electromagnetic device 10 parallel to the axis of the tube 19 is limited on one end by the abutment of the leg 37 with the surfaces 119 and of the end wall 104 and the keying arrangement between the foot 38 and the slot 39 and at the other end by the interfit between the comers of the frame 15 formed by the junction of cars 46 and leg 42 with the corners 139 and 140. Rearward movement of the electromagnetic device 10 is limited by the abutment between the boss 58 on the leg 42 and the rear wall 101. Forward movement of the electromagnetic device 10 is limited by the abutment of the leg 51 with the interior side of the front wall section 102 and the abutment of the tube 19 with the interior side of the front wall section 103. The interfitting engagement of the foot 38 into the slot 39 also aids in limiting forward movement of the electromagnetic device 10.

With the electromagnetic device 10 supported within the main cavity 100 of the receptacle 11, the contact assembly 6 is secured to the receptacle 11. This is accomplished by inserting the end portion 127 of the tab 121 between the top surface of the leg 42 and the tongue 61 on the actuator 60 while concurrently interfitting the columns 114 and 115 into the openings 131 and sliding the tab 121 downward until it rests in a substantially horizontal position with the flat undersurface of the tab 121 adjacent the openings 131 supported by the surfaces 117 and 118 of the receptacle 11 and the end portion 127 of the tab 121 in abutment with the top surface of the leg 42.

Each of the remaining component elements of the contact assembly 6, described in greater detail hereinbefore, is stacked onto the lower tab 121 as illustrated in FIG. 2, each component being aligned by interfitting the columns 114 and 115 into the corresponding openings in the components of the contact assembly. The contact assembly 6 is secured to the receptacle 11 by the screws 35 which are inserted through the openings 159 in the upper tab 128 and threaded into the holes 116 in the columns 114 and 115 until the undersurfaces of the heads of the screws 35 abut the flanges 160 on the upper tab 128. With the contact assembly 6 secured to the receptacle 1!, the end portion 127 of the lower tab 121 abuts the top surface of the leg 42 of the frame 15, thereby preventing vertical movement of the electromagnetic device 10 and completing its captivation within the insulating receptacle 11.

At this point in the assembly, the electromagnetic device 10 is restrained in all directions independent of the limiting action of the channels 108 and 110. This is due to the fact that movement of the electromagnetic device is totally restrained by the downward force exerted by the lower tab 121 on the leg 42, holding the leg 42 in abutment with the shoulders 1 l2 and 132 and simultaneously holding the foot 38 keyed into the slot 39. More specifically, at this stage of the assembly, movement of the electromagnetic device 10 parallel to the axis of the tube 19 is prevented in both directions by the mating engagement of the foot 38 in the slot 39, the foot 38 being locked into the slot 39 by the downward force on the leg 42 exerted by the lower tab 121. Movement upward is prevented by the abutment between the lower tab 121 and the leg 42 while downward movement is prevented by the abutment between the shoulders 112 and 132 with the underside of the leg 42 and by the abutment between the bottom of the slot 39 and the foot 38. Movement forward and rearward is restrained by the force exerted on the leg 42 by the lower tab 121 which holds the leg 42 in abutment with the shoulders 121 and 132 and simultaneously holds the foot 38 in the slot 39.

Thus, with the contact assembly in place, the electromagnetic device is restrained in all directions independent of the vertical walls 119 and 120, which could be recessed from the leg 37 if desired.

The electromagnetic device is also restrained at this time, independent of the channels 108 and 110. While it is true, as explained hereinbefore, that prior to the securing of the contact assembly 6 to the receptacle 11, the channels 108 and 110 do function to restrain movement, this is only a temporary function. For this reason, the front wall sections 102 and 103 could be eliminated from the receptacle, in which case the leg 42 would rest solely on the shoulders 132 of the rear wall section 106 and the contact assembly would be supported solely on the rear wall section 109. The electromagnetic device would nevertheless be completely restrained by the force exerted by the lower tab 121 on the leg 42 which would hold the underside of leg 42 in abutment with the shoulder 132 and also hold the foot 38 in engagement with the slot 39.

The cover is attached by interfitting the bosses 161 in the upper tab 128 into the corresponding holes in the cover 145 while allowing the underside of the cover 145 to rest on the top surface of the upper tab 128 and the shoulders 136 and 137 of the receptacle 11. The lip 162 of the cover 145 is concurrently inserted into the groove 164 in the receptacle 11 to hold the front wall of the cover 145 adjacent the front wall sections 102 and 103 of the receptacle 11.

The underside of the cover 145 is preferably provided with recesses to clear the heads of the screws 35.

In operation, the torsion spring 67 normally biases the leg 51 of the armature 50 and the tongue 61 of the actuator 60 in a clockwise direction to their deenergized positions, shown in FIG. 4, with the leg 51 in abutment with the surface 74 of the end wall 105. Under these conditions, the contacts 7 and 8 are closed.

Upon the occurrence of a predetermined current through the coil 17, the armature 50 pivots counterclockwise into abutment with the pole piece 23, either after a time delay period or with no intended time delay period, depending on the current.

The actuator 60 simultaneously pivots counterclockwise with the tongue 61 moving upward to engage the tip of the contact blade 124, bending the resilient blade 124 sufficiently to move the movable contact 7 out of engagement with stationary contact 8. Upon the cessation of the current in the coil 17, the torsion spring 67 again biases the tongue 61 to its deenergized position out of engagement with the blade 124 thereby allowing the contacts 7 and 8 to close.

Several modifications of the relay are possible within the principles of the invention. For example, the clockwise rotation of the armature 50 and actuator 60 may be limited by abutment between the tongue 61 of the actuator 60 and the upper surface of the lower tab 121, rather than by abutment between the leg 51 of the armature 50 and the wall 74.

While the contacts 7 and 8 have been described as being normally closed, provision can be made to have them normally open by locating the movable blade intermediate the tongue 61 of the actuator 60 and the stationary contact and biasing it out of engagement with the stationary contact. Using this arrangement, when the coil is energized the tongue 61 will move the movable contact into contact with the stationary contact.

In the assembly procedure described hereinbefore, the ends of coil 17 were described as being joined to the terminals 33 and 34 prior to insertion into the receptacle. This joining step could, however, be accomplished after the electromagnetic device has been secured to the receptacle.

The contact assembly may be formed into a single unitary piece by permanently mounting the metallic terminals into a block of molded plastic having a similar peripheral shape as the contact assembly 6 shown in FIG. 2. The restraining portion 127 need not be an integral part of the contact assembly but instead could be secured to another section of the receptacle as long as it restrains the frame from movement in the proper direction. l

The recess in the actuator located intermediate the channellike recess 62 and the tongue 61 may house a counterweight to minimize shock and vibration problems associated with the movement of the actuator 60. The counterweight can be made of lead or any other suitable heavy material.

As mentioned briefly hereinbefore, the electromagnetic device is completely restrained by the combined action of the lower tab 121 bearing against the leg 42 of the frame and thereby holding the foot 38 keyed into the mating slot 39 and simultaneously holding the underside of the leg 42 in abutment with the shoulders 112 and 132.

Numerous further modifications of the receptacle 11 are possible without departing from the teachings of the invention. For example, as noted hereinbefore, only the front wall section 102 and/or section 103 could be eliminated. If such a receptacle were employed, the electromagnetic device, before attachment of the contact assembly, would be movable in two directions rather than one direction as is the case with the receptacle shown in FIG. 2. It would be movable vertically upward, and also toward the front since the armature leg 51 would no longer be restrained by the inner wall of the front wall section 102 and/or section 103. Nevertheless, with the contact assembly in place, the electromagnetic device would be completely restrained for the same reasons as noted hereinbefore.

In still another modification, it would be possible to eliminate the boss 58, to space the leg 42 from the wall 133, to eliminate the front wall sections 102 and 103, and to space the leg 37 from the wall 120, so long as the leg 42 rests on the surface 132 and the foot 38 is resting in the slot 39 and confined therein by the bottom wall and sidewalls thereof.

Having described this invention, whatl claim is:

1. An electromagnetic relay comprising,

a receptacle having an-L-shape in cross section and opposed end walls so as to define 'two contiguous open sides,

an electromagnetic device received within said receptacle between the legs of said L-shape and between said opposed end walls so as to limit its movement in all but two directions,

a contact assembly including a pair of separable contacts,

said contact assembly being secured to said receptacle adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and

securing means connected to said receptacle for restraining movement of said electromagnetic device in said two directions.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic device includes a coil having end portions extending in opposite directions out of said receptacle through one of said two open sides thereof.

3. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said securing means closes part of said other of said two open sides of said receptacle.

. 4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said end walls define channels receiving portions of said electromagnetic device.

5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic device has a foot, said receptacle has a wall defining a space to receive said foot for positioning said electromagnetic device relative to said receptacle.

6. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle,

an electromagnetic device including a frame received within said receptacle,

said receptacle having wall means limiting movement of said electromagnetic device in all except one direction,

a contact assembly including a pair of separable contacts,

said contact assembly being secured to said receptacle adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and

securing means for restraining movement of said electromagnetic device in said one direction.

7. The structure recited in claim 6 wherein said wall means also limits movement of said contact assembly in all except one direction and said contact assembly is also restrained from movement in said one direction by said securing means.

8. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle including a bottom wall,

a rear wall upstanding relative to said bottom wall, and opposed end walls upstanding relative to said bottom wall,

said bottom wall, rear wall and end walls jointly defining a cavity generally closed on four sides and generally open on two sides,

an electromagnetic device received within said cavity,

said electromagnetic device including a coil having end portions extending outwardly therefrom,

said electromagnetic device being positioned within said cavity so that said coil end portions extend outwardly through one of said open sides,

contact means having separable contacts and supported adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and

restraining means secured to said receptacle for trapping said electromagnetic device between said bottom wall and said restraining means.

9. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said bottom wall, said rear wall and said end walls are integral with each other.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said open sides are contiguous and communicating with each other.

11. The combination recited in claim 10 wherein said coil end portions extend along the length of said coil and outwardly therefrom.

12. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said electromagnetic device includes an L-shaped frame having one leg thereof resting on one end wall and the other leg thereof resting on said bottom wall.

13. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein one of said legs is keyed with its associated wall to align said electromagnetic device relative to said receptacle.

14. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of said end walls has a channel accommodating a part of said electromagnetic device.

15. The combination recited in claim 14 wherein said electromagnetic device includes a pivotal armature and a pole piece toward which it moves on predetermined overload conditions, said channel being defined in part by a surface toward which said armature is biased and with which it abuts to limit rotation of said armature away from said pole piece.

16. The combination recited in claim 15 wherein said channel receives said pole piece.

17. The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said electromagnetic device further includes a tube around which is placed said coil, said tube having secured to it at one end said pole piece and extending beyond said coil at the other end, said tube extending into another channel formed in the other of said end walls.

18. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said restraining means forms a part of said contact means.

19. The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said contact means is secured to one of said end walls of said receptacle.

20. The combination recited in claim 19 wherein said contact means comprises an assembly of stacked members.

21. The combination recited in claim 20 wherein said end wall to which said contact means is secured forms a column and each of said stacked members has an opening into which said column fits to position said contact means on said receptacle.

22. The combination recited in claim 8, further including an L-shaped cover carried by said receptacle for substantially closing said two open sides.

23. The combination recited in claim 22 wherein said contact means has formed thereon a boss and said L-shaped cover contains an opening into which said boss interfits to secure said cover to said contact assembly.

24. The combination recited in claim 22, wherein one leg of said L-shaped cover is recessed from said end walls to form passages through which said end portions extend.

25. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein said electromagnetic device includes an elongated tube supported by and extending through the leg of said frame resting on said bottom wall, and at least one of said end walls has a channel accommodating a part of said tube.

26. A relay comprising electromagnetic means for opening and closing a pair of contacts, said electromagnetic means including an L- shaped frame,

contact means including said pair of contacts and means for supporting said contacts in operative relation to said electromagnetic device,

a receptacle including wall means located intermediate the smaller angle formed by the legs of said frame for supporting one leg of said frame, and wall means cooperating with the other leg of said frame to form a keying engagement, and

restraining means secured to said receptacle for trapping said frame between said restraining means and said slot and said wall means.

27. The combination recited in claim 26 wherein said wall means comprises an open-ended slot into which said other leg of said frame is keyed.

28. The structure recited in claim 22 wherein said cover is of transparent electrical insulating material and said receptacle is of electrical insulating material.

29. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle,

said receptacle including a supporting wall,

said receptacle including a keying wall means, said receptacle defining a cavity,

an electromagnetic device within said cavity, supported at least in part on said wall, and keyed to said keying wall means,

a contact means secured to said receptacle and trapping at least a part of said electromagnetic means between said supporting wall and said contact means.

30. The structure recited in claim 29 wherein said receptacle has an open side communicating with said cavity and through which said electromagnetic device is inserted into said cavity.

31. The structure recited in claim 30 wherein said receptacle has two contiguous open sides, through one of which said electromagnetic device is inserted and a part of said electromagnetic device extending through the other open side.

* i I t t 

1. An electromagnetic relay comprising, a receptacle having an L-shape in cross section and opposed end walls so as to define two contiguous open sides, an electromagnetic device received within said receptacle between the legs of said L-shape and between said opposed end walls so as to limit its movement in all but two directions, a contact assembly including a pair of separable contacts, said contact assembly being secured to said receptacle adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and securing means connected to said receptacle for restraining movement of said electromagnetic device in said two directions.
 2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic device includes a coil having end portions extending in opposite directions out of said receptacle through one of said two open sides thereof.
 3. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said securing means closes part of said other of said two open sides of said receptacle.
 4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said end waLls define channels receiving portions of said electromagnetic device.
 5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic device has a foot, said receptacle has a wall defining a space to receive said foot for positioning said electromagnetic device relative to said receptacle.
 6. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle, an electromagnetic device including a frame received within said receptacle, said receptacle having wall means limiting movement of said electromagnetic device in all except one direction, a contact assembly including a pair of separable contacts, said contact assembly being secured to said receptacle adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and securing means for restraining movement of said electromagnetic device in said one direction.
 7. The structure recited in claim 6 wherein said wall means also limits movement of said contact assembly in all except one direction and said contact assembly is also restrained from movement in said one direction by said securing means.
 8. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle including a bottom wall, a rear wall upstanding relative to said bottom wall, and opposed end walls upstanding relative to said bottom wall, said bottom wall, rear wall and end walls jointly defining a cavity generally closed on four sides and generally open on two sides, an electromagnetic device received within said cavity, said electromagnetic device including a coil having end portions extending outwardly therefrom, said electromagnetic device being positioned within said cavity so that said coil end portions extend outwardly through one of said open sides, contact means having separable contacts and supported adjacent said electromagnetic device and operable thereby on predetermined current conditions, and restraining means secured to said receptacle for trapping said electromagnetic device between said bottom wall and said restraining means.
 9. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said bottom wall, said rear wall and said end walls are integral with each other.
 10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said open sides are contiguous and communicating with each other.
 11. The combination recited in claim 10 wherein said coil end portions extend along the length of said coil and outwardly therefrom.
 12. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said electromagnetic device includes an L-shaped frame having one leg thereof resting on one end wall and the other leg thereof resting on said bottom wall.
 13. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein one of said legs is keyed with its associated wall to align said electromagnetic device relative to said receptacle.
 14. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of said end walls has a channel accommodating a part of said electromagnetic device.
 15. The combination recited in claim 14 wherein said electromagnetic device includes a pivotal armature and a pole piece toward which it moves on predetermined overload conditions, said channel being defined in part by a surface toward which said armature is biased and with which it abuts to limit rotation of said armature away from said pole piece.
 16. The combination recited in claim 15 wherein said channel receives said pole piece.
 17. The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said electromagnetic device further includes a tube around which is placed said coil, said tube having secured to it at one end said pole piece and extending beyond said coil at the other end, said tube extending into another channel formed in the other of said end walls.
 18. The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said restraining means forms a part of said contact means.
 19. The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said contact means is secured to one of said end walls of said receptacle.
 20. The combination recited in claim 19 wherein said contact means comprises an assembly of stacked members.
 21. The combination recited in claim 20 wherein said end wall to which said contact means is secured forms a column and each of said stacked members has an opening into which said column fits to position said contact means on said receptacle.
 22. The combination recited in claim 8, further including an L-shaped cover carried by said receptacle for substantially closing said two open sides.
 23. The combination recited in claim 22 wherein said contact means has formed thereon a boss and said L-shaped cover contains an opening into which said boss interfits to secure said cover to said contact assembly.
 24. The combination recited in claim 22, wherein one leg of said L-shaped cover is recessed from said end walls to form passages through which said end portions extend.
 25. The combination recited in claim 12 wherein said electromagnetic device includes an elongated tube supported by and extending through the leg of said frame resting on said bottom wall, and at least one of said end walls has a channel accommodating a part of said tube.
 26. A relay comprising electromagnetic means for opening and closing a pair of contacts, said electromagnetic means including an L-shaped frame, contact means including said pair of contacts and means for supporting said contacts in operative relation to said electromagnetic device, a receptacle including wall means located intermediate the smaller angle formed by the legs of said frame for supporting one leg of said frame, and wall means cooperating with the other leg of said frame to form a keying engagement, and restraining means secured to said receptacle for trapping said frame between said restraining means and said slot and said wall means.
 27. The combination recited in claim 26 wherein said wall means comprises an open-ended slot into which said other leg of said frame is keyed.
 28. The structure recited in claim 22 wherein said cover is of transparent electrical insulating material and said receptacle is of electrical insulating material.
 29. An electromagnetic relay comprising a receptacle, said receptacle including a supporting wall, said receptacle including a keying wall means, said receptacle defining a cavity, an electromagnetic device within said cavity, supported at least in part on said wall, and keyed to said keying wall means, a contact means secured to said receptacle and trapping at least a part of said electromagnetic means between said supporting wall and said contact means.
 30. The structure recited in claim 29 wherein said receptacle has an open side communicating with said cavity and through which said electromagnetic device is inserted into said cavity.
 31. The structure recited in claim 30 wherein said receptacle has two contiguous open sides, through one of which said electromagnetic device is inserted and a part of said electromagnetic device extending through the other open side. 